Margarito's opponent is named

An opponent has been confirmed to take on Antonio Margarito in May in Aguascalientes, Mexico. According to trainer Robert Garcia, who is now working in the corner of the former world champion, Margarito (37-6, 27 KO’s) will now take on hard-hitting Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia of Texas in a 12 round bout. “More than likely, they are fighting for a minor or regional title to make it a 12 round bout,” said Garcia, who trains Margarito at his Boxing Academy in Oxnard, CA.

This will be Margarito’s first bout since January of last year, when he was stopped in the ninth round by Shane Mosley. Margarito was suspended for a year by the California State Athletic Commission after accusations of him having a substance amongst his hand wraps that hardens with water and sweat.

Margarito was originally scheduled to face Carson Jones at Cowboys Stadium on the Paquiao-Clottey undercard earlier this month. However, promoter Bob Arum scrapped that idea after it was uncertain whether the state of Texas would license Margarito for the Jones fight.

Instead, Arum moved the bout to May 8th to coincide with festivities in Mexico surrounding Cinco De Mayo.

Garcia (28-2, 21 KOs) resides in Weslaco, TX and is unbeaten in his last 14 bouts. In his last bout, he stopped journeyman Jose Medina in the third round earlier this month.

Also on the May 8th card, unbeaten Lightweight Brandon Rios will defend his regional title against former world title challenger Urbano Antillon.

Rios (24-0, 18 KOs) impressively stopped Jorge Luis Teron in the third round last month, while Antillon (27-1, 20 KOs) stopped Luis Arceo in the third round last month. It was his first bout since being knocked out by eventual champion Miguel Acosta last July.